About Us

Serendip has been the Independent bookshop in Lyme Regis for over 40 years. Previously Serendip Fine Books, Serendip: A Treasure House is owned by Bee and Chris Painton, who are committed to carrying on the tradition of independent bookselling in a modern environment.

Serendip stocks a wide range of locally set titles, bestsellers and non-fiction books alongside toys, games and jigsaws. We also have enviable selection of gifts and cards from the Really Good Company (The Bright Side and Waldo Pancake are our favourites) as well as local gifts, including the popular Peter Wiles Lyme in Summer and Winter jigsaws. Looking for a book on fossils? Dinosaurs? Geology? Topography? Walking? Serendip stock almost every map and book available.

The town has a rich literary history, and is the setting for many novels including classics such as Jane Austen’s Persuasion (ever wondered where Louisa Musgrove fell and hit her head?) and more modern tomes like Tracey Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures and Penelope Lively’s children’s book A Stitch in Time. Serendip was founded as Serendip Fine Books by Chris Chapman, a close friend of John Fowles whose classic novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman is set in Lyme Regis. The film, starring Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons, was filmed in the town and the front of the shop can even be glimpsed as Meryl crosses Broad Street. If it’s a book or film set in Lyme, we have it in stock.

So whether you are looking for a good read, non-fiction books about the local area, a tasteful card or an usual gift, visit Serendip: A Treasure House.